Best Filter Water Pitcher Reviews 2018

Sometimes tap water isn’t the best way to go, but installing a full reverse osmosis system might not be the best option. If you’re willing and able, one of the best ways to get a quick purification of the water coming into your home is using a filtering water pitcher, we especially recommend the Brita Large 10 Cup.

With the right one, you can end up with purified water just by pouring… a measure of convenience that really can’t be beaten.

Bestoverallpick!

Best overall: Brita 10 Cup

If you want to maximize the investment on your dollar, then the Brita 10 Cup Everyday Water Pitcher is a fantastic option to look into.

1. Best Value for the Money

Brita 10 Cup Everyday Water Pitcher

Product Rating5 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

Brita has been in this game for a long time, long enough that many people will call pretty much any brand of pitcher containing a filter by the brand name. They make high-quality products, but they don’t come in at a super budget price.

That said, this one boasts a 2.4L capacity and a single stage activated carbon filter. This basic filtration type is enough to handle all but the nastiest water and the Brita is well engineered to filter the water quickly and easily.

The filter even has a sticker which will let you know when you need to change things out, and Brita filters are readily available pretty much everywhere.

Pros and Cons

Filters fairly quickly

Advanced carbon filter

Lets you know when you need to change the filter out

Squared design fits easily in the fridge

Small spout

Awkward handle

2. Best Cheap Pitcher Filter

PUR LED 11 Cup Water Filtration Pitcher System

Product Rating4 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

If you’re looking for a cheap and highly effective filter containing pitcher, then the PUR LED is precisely what you’ve been longing for. It combines a highly effective activated carbon filter with a tried and true design to bring you clean water with most of the contaminants removed.

It lacks some of the bells and whistles you might find with high-end filters, it’s not going to raise the pH of the water for instance, but it comes with a 2.6L capacity and PUR backs up their claims of removing 90%+ of most contaminants.

The filter itself will last for a considerable amount of time as well, being rated to handle 40 gallons before needing to be switched. Thankfully, the filters can also be quickly and easily replaced whether you’re looking online or just at the local superstore.

For a cheap, highly effective filter you’re not going to be able to beat the PUR LED.

Pros and Cons

Cheap

Effective filtration

2.6L capacity

Ergonomic handle

Slow to filter

Rather heavy

3. Best Non-Alkalizing Pitcher Filter

ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher with Free TDS Meter

Product Rating4 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

There’s a lot to recommend when it comes to the ZeroWater pitcher, including coming with an electronic way of monitoring dissolved solid levels and five stage filtration.

The manufacturer’s claims are backed up by the NSF, and they’ve definitely got some skin in the game. The company has gone a bit over the top in both making sure that you get clean water and letting you know that they’re not snake oil.

They win a lot of points just for going so far out of their way to let you reassure yourself of the quality of the waster you’re consuming but the pitcher itself is nothing to sneeze at. It’s comfortably designed with a 2.4L capacity and an attractive and sleek shape.

If you’re not interested in alkalized water but want to make sure that you’ve got the desired purity levels, and the equipment to prove it, adding this to your home is a great idea.

Pros and Cons

Included TDS meter

Easy to fill

Dispenser style pouring

Filters water as it enters

Takes some time to fill

Filters are expensive

4. Best Alkalizing Pitcher

Alkaline Water Pitcher With Fluoride Filter

Product Rating4 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

Reshape water produces this amazing alkalizing pitcher, it comes with six stages of filtration and an astonishing 3.5L capacity. This makes it pretty much ideal for those who are looking into using high pH solution in a bid to get healthier.

High pH water seems to show some benefits, but the main benefit that most people are going to empirically experience from this filter comes in the first five stages which strip pretty much everything harmful out of the water. This is another case where a company has gone out of their way to make sure that you’re getting water which has been verified by a third-party agency.

It definitely helps that the entire design is sleek and a little bit understated, although it may be a bit large for some refrigerators due to its high capacity.

Overall, if you’re looking for the best alkalizing pitcher around then you’re in good hands with Reshape Water’s 3.5L pitcher.

Pros and Cons

3.5L capacity

Alkalizes water

Filtration third party verified

Sleek design

Expensive

May be too big for small refrigerators

5. Best Budget Alkalizing Filter Water Pitcher

DRAGONN Alkaline Water Pitcher

Product Rating4 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

If you’re looking to obtain the benefits of alkalized water without breaking the bank, then DRAGONN has you covered with their seven stage filtration. The filters are pretty complex, which leads to a great end-user experience as well as alkalizing the water for taste and health benefits.

It has the added benefit of a counter on top to make sure that you know when to change the filters as well. The whole thing is well designed, you won’t have to worry about leaks or low build-quality when you’re using this filter.

There is one main issue, however, which is that they haven’t performed third party testing and the company admits that the filter doesn’t remove some inorganic particles like fluoride from the solution when it goes through. This makes their higher amount of filtration phases something of a gimmick. That said, it still filters well and consumer testing has verified that it does, indeed, alkalize the water.

If you want the benefits of higher pH in your water, without an excessive cost, then the DRAGONN Alkaline Water Pitcher might be just the thing to add to your kitchen.

Pros and Cons

Holds 3.5L of water

Seven stage filter

Alkalizes water consistently

Counter to know when to switch the filter

Filter isn’t third party verified

Filter tends to clog

Why Use a Filter Water Pitcher?

Using a filter water pitcher isn’t the perfect option for everyone, but for those of us on a limited budget and seeking to make sure that our water is cleaner they do offer an amazing amount of convenience.

The truth is, tap water these days has a lot of contaminants. Everything from microbiological problems to the excessive use of chlorine-based cleaning compounds can have a serious effect on people over time.

While a filtered water pitcher isn’t going to solve all of your problems, a careful choice can make a huge difference at the end of the day.

First Things First-Know What’s In Your Water

The first thing you’ll need to do, before making a final decision, is figure out what problems might be plaguing your water. In the US you can often contact your water company in order to make sure that you have a solid, data-based overview of what might be lurking in the sink, which is infinitely better than just working with a gut feeling.

There’s no problem with intuition, of course, but missing something vital isn’t going to help matters.

There are a wide range of differing contaminants which are possible and different filters can make a huge difference.
Of course, if you live in an area where you’re not dealing with barely potable, calcium ridden water then you might just want to improve the taste of what ends up on the table. If that’s the case, then there are also filtered water pitchers which are geared towards you as the end level consumer.

It’s a bit of research, but it’s definitely the best approach to making sure that you don’t have any blind spots left over at the end of the day.

What to Look For in Your Filter Water Pitcher

Once you know what’s in your water, it’s time to find the perfect pitcher to add to your home. Water is life, and purifying it before it hits the body can make a pretty big difference in your health over time.

Of course, there are also a number of convenience factors that you’ll want to keep an eye out for as well.

Size

A bigger pitcher isn’t always better, particularly if you’re already limited on refrigerator space. Options can be found that range from a single liter or so all the way up to a gallon of capacity.

This is mainly a convenience factor, and it’s really not right to start shoving stuff out of the fridge to make room for the water. Keep in mind that these pitchers will take up a little bit more room than their unfiltered counterparts.

Most people settle for a model in the range of 3.5L or so, which is a fairly standard size and will take up about as much room as a gallon jug.

Filtration Type

This is the big one for most people. Nearly all of these contain an activated carbon filter. Activated carbon is great for removing most contaminants, but it’s not perfect.

Surprisingly, a single pound of activated carbon has a surface area of 100 acres. They’re great at removing chlorine and some types of biological agents which can wreck your health. They don’t really do much for taste, but it will trap most of the nastier contaminants.

Today’s filtered water pitchers often boast of a multi-stage filter which also includes a porous ceramic secondary which can trap things that activated carbon will miss.

The amount of stages can range from two to five or so, with each successive layer adding even more protection to your water and giving you a clean, crisp taste.

If you’re dealing with seriously nasty water and don’t want to install a system for the whole house, then look for third party certifications. Proof from an outside agency is much more important than the marketing claims.

Total Dissolved Solids Meter

Some of the newer pitchers on the market have a total dissolved solids meter included on the pitcher. These gauges will tell you roughly how much contamination is present in the water you’re using.

The main use of these gauges, however, is letting you know when to change your filter out. Having a clogged, ineffective filter isn’t going to do you any good, and knowing when to change things.

Ease of Filter Replacement

Since it’s inevitable that your filter is going to become clogged and ineffective at filtering out further particulate matter, you also want to factor in how easy it is to get a replacement filter. Some brands are sold pretty much anywhere and it can be infinitely more convenient to just pop into the store and grab a new one than to wait for an online order.

Of course, more specialized filters will cost more and can be harder to source. While many of these are amazingly effective, you may want to invest in an extra filter or two at the time of purchase if this is the case.

Budget

The price point on most filtered water pitches is in the same range, but you can save some money by going with a lesser known brand instead of investing a ton of money in something fancy. In many cases the extra cost is tied more to the styling and ergonomics of a pitcher as opposed to the filtration method utilized.

Conclusion

Keep that in mind, in this arena it often doesn’t mean that a pitcher is necessarily better just because it costs more. It’ll certainly make for a more attractive table ornament but it’s up to you to decide how pragmatic you want to be with your hard earned cash.